Bill Cheek - World Scanner Report

S REFERENCE INFORMATION CO

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WORLD SCANNER REPORT

A Journal of MIF-UHF Radio Technology «fi Engineering

EMMuawtfjt

COMMtronics Engineering - PO Box 262478 - San Diego, CA 92196
Publisher/Editor: Bill Cheek a.k.a. "Doctor Rigormortis"
Administrator: Cindy Cheek a.k.a. " Sunbunny ”

Copyright €>1991-96 <AU rights reserved* ISSN 1061-9240
Volume 5 Number 9 $5.00

conversation piece with which to impress
family, friends, and neighbors, to a
mother of a listening device as a part of
your perimeter security.

the large LM-317T other than it is
commonly available, even from Radio
Shack, The tiny LM-317LZ is available
from DigiKey and other parts houses.

SUPERSNOOP
SURVEILLANCE DEVICE

~ The Saga Concludes ~

The last three issues of the WSR softened
you up for this month’s exciting
conclusion to an integrated, all-purpose
RF device that can be used for anything
from a baby monitor, to a listening
device, to a high quality surveillance bug
for authorized agencies and operatives.

V5N6 gave you the SuperSnoop
Microphone; V5N7 presented the
SuperSnoop Amplifier; and V5N8
offered the SuperSnoop Transmitter;
each in useful, standalone circuits that
could find ready uses for many purposes.

Comes now the integrated version of all
three super circuits into a unitary system
that can be nothing more than a “toy” or

The last three issues of the WSR gave all
the gory details of each circuit, so I’ll
dispense with repetition here, and
instead get right into the meat ‘n taters
of the below circuit and explain the
features and differences that may exist
from the individual circuits.

THE POWER SUPPLY stands out from
the three previous projects. Each of the 3
sections in the below circuit are designed
to run from regulated+8.5 volts provided
from U-2, an adjustable 3-port regulator.
(Some parts values will differ from the
last 3-mos because of the 8-volt design .)
U2 can be the common LM-317T (large
TO-220) or the less common LM-317LZ
(tiny TO-92). There is no real need for

The power supply is designed to accept a
range of input DC and to regulate the
output to a fixed, stable +8.5 volts.

Input power can be as simple as two 9-v
batteries wired in series as shown, for
18v input, or, via J-3 , you can connect a
DC Adapter or power supply of any level
from 11 to 24 volts or so. Not critical!
Current drain is about 15-25 mA. The
two 9v batteries permit extended portable
operation, since U2 will provide a
smooth 8.5v output until the batteries
decay to about 5.5v each, or effectively
dead! Cool, huh? J3 is a switched Vg"
phone jack that auto-disconnects the
internal batteries when an external DC
supply is plugged into J3._

HIGH QUALITY MULTI-PURPOSE SURVEILLANCE DEVICE

1/16/96-2:01 PM - Page 1

SURVEILLANCE

PARTS LIST

Ckt

Radio Shack or

Svm

V alue/Desc rint ion

Other Cat No

R1

4.75-k, PMF

TRW RN-60D-4751

Subst:

RS 271-1330

R2

49.1-k, PMF

TRW RN-60D-4912

Subst:

RS 271-1342

R3

3.92-k. PMF

TRW RN-60D-3921

Subst:

RS 271-029

R4

100 PMF

TRW RN-60D-1000

Subst:

RS 271-1311

R5a

6.81-k PMF

TRW RN-60D-6811

See Note below Subst:

RS 271-13371

R5b

6.19-k. PMF

TRW RN-60D-6191

See Note below Subst:

RS 271-0311

R6

10 olim. carbon.

RS 271-1301

R7

10k. PMF

TRW RN-60D-1002

Subst:

RS 271-1335

R8

10k, PMF

TRW RN-60D-1002

R9

10k, PMF

TRW RN-60D-1002

RIO

221-ohm

TRW RN-60D-2210

Subst:

RS 271-1313

Rll

220-ohm carbon

RS 271-1313

VR-1

100-k trim-pot

RS 271-284

VR-2

10-k trim-pot, precision RS 271-343

VR-3

1-k trim-pot, precision

RS 271-342

VR-4

5-k trim-pot

RS 271-281

Cl

22-uF/16vdc. tant

RS 272-1437

C2

22-uF/16vdc, tant.

RS 272-1437

C3

220-uF/35vdc elec

RS 272-1017

C4

.OOluF ceramic disk

RS 272-126

C5

100-uF/10vdc. tant.

surplus store

Subst:

RS 272-1016

C6

220-pF. ceramic

RS 272-124

C7

470-uF/35vdc elec

RS 272-1018

C8

0.1-uF/50vdc ceram

RS 272-135

C9

.02-uF/50vdc

RS 272-1066

CIO

100-pF ceramic

RS 272-123

Cll

l-uF/35vdc tant.

RS 272-1434

C12

22-uF/16vdc tant.

RS 272-1437

C13

.05-uF ceramic

RS 272-134

C14

220-uF/35vdc elec

RS 272-1017

C15

100-pF ceramic

RS 272-123

C16

100-pF ceramic

RS 272-123

C17

.01-uF ceramic

RS 272-131

C18

.01-uF ceramic

RS 272-131

C19

0.1-uF/50vdc, ceram

RS 272-135

C20

470-pF ceramic

RS 272-125

C21

.001-uF ceramic

RS 272-126

C22

l-uF/35vdc tant.

RS 272-1434

C23

l-uF/35vd

RS 272-1434

Ql

NPN, low noise

2N3904 or ECG-199

Q2

NPN. gen purpose

2N2222A

Subst:

RS 276-2009

U1

LM-386 Audio Amp

RS 276-1731

Subst:

ECG-823

U2

LM-317T Volt Reg

RS 276-1778

Subst:

ECG-956

Dl

Varactor Diode

See WSR V5N8

131.2

9-v Battery, Alkaline

RS 23-553

J1

RCA Phono jack

RS 274-346

J2

Fern BNC chass jack

RS 278-105

J3

V«" Phone jack

RS 274-246

J4

*/«" Phone jack

RS 274-246

Mic

Electret Mike Elem

RS 270-090

SI

DPDT Switch

choice

S2

SPST Switch

choice

XI

Crvstal. CB Synth 23-50 MHz - HC-11/u

PCB Breadboard

RS 276-1395

Metal Enclosure

RS 270-251

Battery Connectors

RS 270-325

TO-220 Mtg Hdwe

RS 276-1373

Heat sink comp

RS 276-1372

Battery hold down

Misc nuts, bolts, hdwe.

RS 270-326

Antenna

(fabricated)

Note: Use two 15-K resistors in parallel to substitute
R-5A. and use a 5.6-k resistor to substitute R-5B

(continued from Page 1)

Any other differences in this integrated
system fall into one of three categories:

1. to accommodate +8v power

2. to accommodate convenience

3. to enhance performance

For example, the SuperSnoop Mic of
V5N6 was designed for a nominal 3v,
but 8.5v requires different values of some
parts. In a word, the SuperSnoop Mic of
V5N6 was redesigned for the needs of
this month’s integrated project.

There are other differences in the
transmitter circuit. Note trimmers VR2
and VR3 that replace the 4.7-k & 330-Q
resistors in last months transmitter? You
can go with the fixed resistors, if you
like, but the trimmers will allow you to
optimize the transmitter for best overall
operation. VR3 optimizes output power
while VR-2 optimizes the stability of the
oscillator. Once the trimmers are set,
you can measure them and use fixed
resistors close to the measured values.

The Audio Power Amplifier isn’t
appreciably changed from V5N7 , but you
will note R7 and R8 this month that
require a little explaining. You see, U1
puts out a whopper of an audio signal to
“deviate” or modulate the oscillator by
varying the bias on Varactor diode, Dl.
But this is an AC signal that can vary
from nearly 0 to 3 or 4 volts, RMS, and 6
to 8v. peak-to-peak. The varactor diode
might get terribly confused.

R7 and R8 (10-k ea), divide +8.5v in half
to apply a DC bias of 4.25v to the
cathode of Dl. In effect, this sets a
baseline of 4.25v above and below which
the AC audio modulating signal can vary
the diode bias, and thus, the frequency of
the oscillator for Frequency Modulation!

C15 is a small capacitor that filters noise
from the modulating signal. LI allows
the modulating signal to pass through,
but blocks RF from getting out. L2 is
only a test point to which a DC or AC
voltmeter can be attached to monitor the
bias or signal voltage. Without L2, the
touch of a meter could stop oscillations
or throw the oscillator off frequency.

C8 and C19 are noise filters for the DC
power line. C4, C9. and CIO are noise
filters for the audio section. C7, C22,
and C23 are brute DC power line filters.

J4, a switched phone jack, is offered to
allow easy injection of preamplified
external signals. You could “pipe” in

line-level audio from some other source,
thereby bypassing the built-in mic and
preamp. This is a convenience feature,
and if not desired, leave it out, and
eliminate C2b. Connect the (-) side of
C2a directly to the top of VR1.

Likewise, J1 and SI are convenience
features to allow easy connection of an
external mic or other low-level audio
signal. Leave them out if you want.

R5a, R5b, and C5 are for the purpose of
dividing and filtering the +8.5v line to
produce an idealized DC power for the
electret mic element. These components
are fairly critical for optimal operation
and probably should not be changed. If
you use a different mic element, then the
circuit might need to be altered. You
could experiment with the following
circuit to determine an ideal combo:

Wire two 10-k trim pots as shown to the
right, and a
capacitor between
them. Sub tills
circuit for R5a,

R5b, and C5.

Experiment with
settings of the trim
pots until ideal
settings are found.

Start with each pot

set to about 6-kQ
and go from there.

When an ideal
combination is
found, measure the pots and sub fixed
PMF resistors for the measured values.

CRITICAL STUFF: Well, nothing in
the SuperSnooper is terribly critical,
with exception of LI, L2, and the electret
mic circuit. But, the fine razor \s edge of
quality is dependent on the use of the
right kinds of parts, especially precision
metal film (PMF) resistors and tantalum
capacitors where specified. In this light.
Dl, Ql, and XI are also fairly important.
Review the last three back issues for
details on these components.

WRAPPING IT UP: The parts list was
made up in 1987 when I designed this
circuit, and revised in 1990. Some of the
Radio Shack part numbers might not be
valid now, but store personnel can guide
you to the correct replacements. 1
verified the most important of the bunch,
though. Construct this baby as small or
as large as you like, but don’t get into
trouble with the dem thing, ok? Tins

sucker works.goooood! Maybe too good. ©

and C1/C4

1/16/96-2.01 i'M~ The “World Scanner Report” © 1991-96; Volume 5, No 9; Page 2

UPGRADE LINKALL
DISPLAY PROJECT

By William Manganaro

Designer ofLinkAll series memory controllers

A LITTLE BACKGROUND

used to and when
electronic systems

Every now and then I
like to sit down at the
computer and write
about things I think
would be practical and
useful to the electronics
and scanner hobbyist. I
don't write as much as I
I do it's usually about
relating to amateur

rocketry. That's a whole different story.

Anyway, I guess I am sort of the Howard
Hughes of electronics in a sense that I
usually keep things to myself and nobody can
figure out exactly what it is I do. Well what
the heck! I guess I will break character here
and share with you a hardware upgrade that
is simple to build and will make your life
easier while scanning the airwaves.

I am talking about an upgrade for the
LINKALL display. What the heck’s that, you
ask? The LINKALL is a small easy to install
memory controller board that makes
Extended Memory in the PRO-2004/5/6 and
maybe other scanners, much easier to use
and manage.

ED: See V2N7, V3N6, and V3N7 for past
articles and information about LINKALL. If
you installed my 6,400-ch or 25,600-ch
Extended Memory Mods in your PRO-
2004/5/6 or PRO-2035/2042. the LINKALL
might be just for you!

My buddy, Mark Persson, and myself
developed it because we felt there was a
need for it in the scanner community and we
wanted to fill that void.

Those who own a LINKALL of any type can
benefit from this upgrade. LINKALL uses a
bank of LED's to indicate memory block
number and status information. The binary
format displayed on the LED's is simple and
effective, not to mention space efficient, but
the fact of the matter is that binary can be
confusing, especially if you have a 6 bit
LINKALL. Now you can replace these block
number LED's with a digital display that
indicates the block number in a plain easy to
read decimal format.

There are 4 versions of LINKALL. The first is
the original 4 bit design. The second is a
modified 4 bit design made into a 6 bit
design. The third and fourth designs are the
new LINKALL Models 4 and 6 which have all

the features of the first two with added
functions. Models 4 and 6 also feature a
highly integrated design in contrast to the
older 13 chip designs. This upgrade is
compatible with all LINKALLs.

Before we get into details of how to build or
install the display, lets get into a few details
of the circuit itself and its operation.

CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION: Please refer to
the schematic as we go through the various
circuits. There is not much to this so it should
go quick. Lets talk about the address inputs
A0-A5. The LINKALL uses these address
lines to sort of break up the extended
memory in your scanner into smaller usable
blocks of memory. The A0-A5 lines from the
LINKALL control or address the most
significant bits of the extended SRAM
memory chip in your scanner. Each discrete
address value from the LINKALL is called a
Block and is normally displayed using a bank
of 4 or 6 LED's depending on your model.

There are 400 channels associated with each
Block value. The 4 bit LINKALL controls 16
Extended Memory Blocks and the 6 bit
version controls 64 Blocks. A Block address
from LINKALL enters EPROM U1. This
EPROM is the heart of the circuit and acts as
a digital code converter. It converts the raw
binary data into BCD (B)inary (C)oded
(D)ecimal. Code conversion is accomplished
using a lookup table method.

The address input to U1 is used to point to a
particular memory location in the EPROM
that holds the 2 digit BCD equivalent of the
address value. The BCD format from U1
representing the raw binary data value uses
the upper and lower 4 bits of each output
byte to represent the values of 0-9. Therefore
we can represent a value from 00-99 with one
byte of data; more than we need since the
maximum value into the EPROM will be 63
for a 6 bit LINKALL.

The EPROM output goes to U2 and U3,
74LS47 BCD-to-7-segment display decoder/
drivers to drive our displays. The displays are
7 seg common anode (CA) type displays with
active low drive on each segment. Note that I
did not include pin numbers on the
schematic, only signal definitions, on the
schematic diagram in the display part of the
circuit. This gives you the option to use any
size display you need as long as it is
common anode type. The resistors limit the
current in each segment. The other input to
the circuit is the POLARITY input which is
used to compensate for LINKALLs that use
negative logic to drive it's LED display. Older

type LINKALLs use active low drive while the
newer Model 4 or 6 use active high drive.

Tying POLARITY and point A to 5 volts
makes the display compatible with older type
LINKALLs with 4 bits. If your older type
LINKALL is a 6 bit model then the POLARITY
input gets connected to 5 volts while point A
gets grounded. Connecting POLARITY and
point A to ground makes the display
compatible with the new Model 4 or 6. The
remaining inputs are + 5 volts DC main from
the scanner and ground. That does it for the
circuit description. Simple right?

CIRCUIT CONSTRUCTION: The circuit is
not critical since operation is completely
static. There is not much room inside your
scanner for the display board so you may
have to put in a small enclosure and mount it
outside the scanner if you’re not very
creative. You can use point to point wiring or
wire wrap techniques.

Follow the schematic carefully and clearly
label each wire lead into the display board for
connection inside the scanner. If you use the
display module with an older type 4 bit
LINKALL then connect the POLARITY input
to 5 VDC and point A (see schematic) to 5
VDC. (An old style LINKALL is 6 inches long.)

If you use the display module with an older
type LINKALL that has been modified to a 6
bit then connect the POLARITY input to 5
VDC and point A (see schematic) to ground.

If it is going to be used with the newer Model
4 or 6, then connect POLARITY and point A
inputs to ground. (The new type of LINKALL
is 4 inches long.) When completed, there
should be 8 wires for input to the scanner if
you are building the display module for a 6 bit
LINKALL; otherwise there will be 6. Make the
wires long enough from the display box so
that they may be connected inside the
scanner. Also protect the integrated circuits
from electrostatic discharge when handling. A
grounded soldering iron and ESD strap to
ground would be ideal when constructing the
display board.

LINKALL UPGRADE
PARTS LIST

U1 2716 (programmed EPROM)

see address below for availability
U2-3 74LS47

Rl-2 100-kQ Vi-w

R3-16 220Q l /4-w

C1 -2 1 uF/16v (most any type will do)

DISP1 7- seg digital display, common anode

DISP2 7- seg digital display, common anode

Wire
Enclosure

One 24 pin IC socket
Two 16 pin IC sockets
connectors (as needed/desired)

i/i6/96~2:t/t r.\f~ The “World Scanner Report” © 1991-96; Volume 5, No 9; Page 4

20 MHz OSCILLOSCOPE
FOR $100 ?

Radio Shack’s 1996 catalog pg 125,
sports a 20 MHz Oscilloscope for $100.
The catalog says “ available Nov 30, 1995 ”
but as of Jan 1, 1996, the “ProbeScope”
still wasn’t in the stores. RS personnel
say “anytime now”. Well, this one looks
like a real hotdawg, so keep an eye out.

Basically, ProbeScope is just a small
probe with an LCD display module on its
side, but (and get this!), it also plugs
into a COMport on a PC to turn the
display into a huge oscilloscope.

ProbeScope comes with Windows and
DOS software on disk, probe and cable,
to allow a laptop or desktop PC to view
waveforms and voltages on the monitor;
and to store, and print them.
ProbeScope also has a digital voltmeter
mode of operation. Sounds cooooool\

Readers will recall from the back issues
were we presented Radio Shack’s and
AGA Associate’s PC Interface Multi¬
meters (V5N3). Believe me, these kinds
of tools are awesome for the shack and
shop, so the coming ProbeScope should
be no exception. Regular o’scopes start
at $500. They’re also big, bulky, and not
the easiest instruments to operate.

The ProbeScope should be ideal for
many electronics bench needs from audio
and stereo up through RF at CB
frequencies or thereabouts. Lots of
scanner uses and especially digital
applications! Maybe even useful in a
home-brew spectrum analyzer !!

O’scopes have long been priced out of
reach of most hobbyists but arc standard
fare on the serious electronics bench.
ProbeScope could open doors for you!

That‘s right! From Canada, where these
Fine, cellular-capable scanners are still
legal. There appears to be no Customs
or legal hassles for private mail order
deals, according to US scannists who
have purchased so far. Prices are great!

PRO-2006: *US$379 (CAN$529)
PRO-43: «US$360 (CAN$499)

Durham Radio , the Canadian supplier
says that supplies of the PRO-2006 and
PRO-43 may be limited, so early orders
are advised. They are not sure if supplies
can be replenished. For more info:

DURHAM RADIO
350 Wentworth St. East, Unit 7
Oshawa, Ontario CANADA L1H7R7
Voice: 905-436-2100 FAX: 905-436-3231
Email: durhamnet.com

FREE S&H (regular ground) until end
of January ’96. Fast UPS also available.

ED Note: Foreign shopping is not a
complex matter anymore, especially from
Canada. You may wish to check with your
credit card company in advance to ensure
they will honor the transaction, and to
verify exchange rates cmd currency>
conversion fees, if any.

They said it couldn’t be
done, and they’re right.
sort of You cannot pop
the case of a PRO-2035
and clip or add a diode
to unleash the cellular
bands. They ’re not there.

You can, however, yank the micro¬
processor chip from the Logic/Display/
CPU board and replace it with one for
the European PRO-2035 for lull
coverage of the 800 MHz spectrum!
Replacing that wretchedly tiny surface
mount 100-pin chip is a lot easier said
than done, however! But it is “doable”...

The timid and faint of heart have a much
more lucrative option, however. Just
replace the entire Logic /Display/CPU
board with the European version by
disconnecting a few cables; removing
four screws, etc, and be done with it in a
matter of minutes. No sweat!

So where do we get a European CPU or
Logic Board for our PRO-2035’s? I
should think one likely source to be the

equivalent of Tandy’s National Parts
Center in Europe, but so far. I’ve been
unable to locate that facility. However;
there is a hot little company in England
making a good name for itself by being
up to date and johnny-on-the-spot with
all the latest in scanning and short-wave
listening technologies.

Javiation, and its proprietor, Jonathan
Clough, have limited quantities of both
the CPU and the Logic Board for the
compleat PRO-2035. Latest known
prices are as follows:

GRE-9410 CPU £35.00 or

PRO-2035 Logic Board £ 89.00

Javiation is a wide spectrum supplier to
the hobby radio market, so visit their
WWW homepage and order a catalog:

Javiation, Jonathan Clough
Carlton Works, Carlton Street,
BRADFORD; BD7 IDA; UK
Voice: (+44 1274 732146)

Fax: (+44 1274 722627)

Email: info@javiaton.demon.co.uk
CompuServe: 100117,535
WorldWideWeb HomePage:

http://www.demon.co.uk/javiation/

ED NOTE: I asked Jonathan about
delivery and availability. He replied:

'The PRO-2035 is no longer available here in
Europe as it did not meet European EMC

standards and could not be imported into
Europe after the 1st January 1996. Any
imported prior to that date can be sold until
gone but as far as I am aware RS have not
brought any in for 6 months or longer. As
such 1 am not sure how long spares such as
CPU's, (boards), etc will remain available.”

ED: I asked Jonathan about the new
PRO-2042 and cellular possibilities.

I suspect the '2042 is the same as the '2035,
ie CPU differences. The PRO-2042 also failed
EMC testing so is not approved. 1 had
assumed that RS brought the PRO-2042 out
for 2 reasons (at least); one to answer the US
critics with regard to PRO-2035 deficiencies
and at the same time manufacture to a
standard that would comply with European
EMC standards. Seems I was wrong. As to
whether it will eventually arrive 1 can't say.

The only "RS badged" base (scanner) to pass
EMC testing is the PRO-2039, and that had

to have its BNC socket removed-only
antenna socket is via the telescopic one that
screws into the top.”

CONCL US ION: A European CPU or
Logic Board will put cellular in your
PRO-2035 without compromise.

1/16/96 - 2:01 PM ~ The “World Scanner Report” © 1991-96; Volume 5, No 9; Page 3

DISPLAY HOOK UP: Always disconnect AC
power from the scanner when removing the
cover. Observe ESD precautions. You will
have to drill a hole through the back of the
scanner to feed the wires from the display
module to the inside of the scanner. You may
even want to add a connector to the back of
your scanner and feed the signals through it.
This will make things look more professional.

Lets start with the address lines A0-A5 into
the display module. Since we will no longer
be using the Block display LED's on the front
panel of the scanner, this might be a
convenient place to remove wires and
connect to the A0-A5 inputs. If you are using
this display upgrade, you MUST NOT use the
original LED's for Block display. It's one or
the other. Use info below as your guide.
Remove the LED drive wires one at a time
from the front panel LED's and connect as
follows:

AO — lo — LED1 DRIVE —»»rightmost Block LED
A1 - lo - LED2 DRIVE
A2 - to - LED3 DRIVE
A3 — to — LED4 DRIVE
A4 - to - LED5 DRIVE **

A5 - lo - LED6 DRIVE ** —»» leftmost Block LED
** indicates only for 6 bit LINKALL.

NOTE: The key word here is left and
rightmost Block LED's. Please don't include
the status LED

NOTE: LED drive refers to the lead on the
led that is driven by the LINKALL module
address output inside your scanner. The
other lead on the LED is a common and no
connection should be made to it. A way to
identify the LED commons is physically
look at the LED wiring. If you see a
common wire bus bridging each LED, these
are not the wires to remove and connect to
the display module. If you have an
ohinmeter you can buzz the wires to the
LED's to identify the common _

DO NOT disconnect the drive wire to the
STATUS LED; it will be used. The unused
LED's can be used for other purposes. Now
the last two connections: power and ground
inputs. If you have a PRO-2005/6 then you
can pick up the main +5v from CN3 Pin 2. If
you have a PRO-2004, then you can pick up
the +5v from CN504 Pin 5. The +5v
connections may have to be spliced into an
existing wire. The ground can be picked up
from any shielded can or box in the scanner.

If you are installing a new LINKALL and this
display you may want to still use the LED's in
addition to the digital display. In this case the

A0-A5 of the display inputs can be connected
in parallel with the address inputs of the
SRAM 1C you are installing. In other words,
the LINKALL will be driving the address
inputs of the SRAM 1C as well as the address
inputs of the Display Upgrade module. The
corresponding wiring would be as follows:

Display Input

AO _ .

SRAM 1C address Inputs

All

Ai _

_ _A12

A2_

A13

A3---

A14

A4

A15 *

A5

A16*

* Only apply lo a Model 6 LINKALL with 128K x 8 SRAM |

OPERATION^ If all went well and you wired
everything correctly it’s time to power up! Due
to the increased current demands of the LED
display, the internal power transformer may
not handle this to well. You may want to use
an external 12 VDC 1A power pack
compatible with the scanner in place of
directly plugging your scanner into the AC
outlet. Plug in your power pack and connect it
to the DC input of your scanner.

Turn the scanner power on. Switch the
LINKALL into manual mode and reset to the
Home Block or Block 0. A zero should be

1/16/96-2:01 PM- The “World Scanner Report” © 1991-96; Volume 5, No 9; Page 5

displayed. Next, increment the Blocks one by
one to see if the numbers on the display
make sense. If so, you’re done. If not, well,
START BUZZIN!!! If the numbers appear to
count down then the POLARITY signal is
wired wrong. If it is connected to ground then
connect it to 5 VDC. If it is connected to +5v
then connect it to ground. If things still look
funny then ensure point A is connected
correctly. This should cure all problems. If no
display appears, then check the +5v input
and connections to and from the decoder
IC's. Check that the anodes of the 7 seg.
displays are wired to +5v.

CONCLUSION: All sources for parts and info
are included at the end of this article. If you
have any problems, give me a call or drop me
a few lines via e-mail. I wish you success
with your display upgrade.

If you have an EPROM programmer, I will
send you the binary of the U1 converter code.
Otherwise, the chip is available per below.

LINKALL INFORMATION & RESOURCES

11 Converter: $8.00 (includes US S&H)
Money Orders only please. Any Questions
you may have I will gladly help.

William Manganaro

15 Tulip Court

Moriches, NY 11955-1901

Phone: 516-878-8697 (after 7 PM EST)

E-mail: 73510.23740 CompuServe .com

CompuServe: 73510,2374

Scanner Modification Services & LINKALL
Information; Send for catalog of services.

Mark Persson
1369 Lombardy Blvd.

Bay Shore, NY 11706

All Parts for project

DigiKey Corp.

701 Brooks Ave. South
P.O. Box 677

Thief River Falls, MN 56701-0677
(800) 344-4539

ADMIN NOTES FROM CINDY

Some wondered what happened to your last
two issues for 1995. In a nut shell, we’ve
had a few health and other crises that threw
us into a real tailspin. As I have told some on
the phone we don’t guarantee that any issue
will come out on a specific day of the month,
but we do guarantee 5 issues for a half-year
sub, 10 issues for a one-year sub, and 20
issues for a 2-year sub.. FYI:

V5N8 was mailed on 12/8/95
V5N9 expected mailing on 1/17/96.
V5N10 expected mailing on 1/31/96

To those of you who have expressed well
wishes. Thank you very much. Your
understanding and patience is
appreciated. We apologize for the
delays, and for any inconvenience this
may have caused.

CE-232 SALE PRICE EXTENDED

Speaking of inconvenience, our sale on
the CE-232 Scanner/Computer Interface
expired on 12/31/95, but many of you
might have not had the opportunity to
buy since our last few issues were late.
Soooooo.. if you still want to make the
purchase, I am taking the liberty of
extending the sale price of S149.95 until
January 31, 1996. ( Please don’t tell Bill)
Just send your order to my attention or if
you place an order by phone, ask for me
and I will extend the sale price for
you. our special readers!

Again, thanks to all our subscribers for
your continued loyalty, well wishes, and
for having your subscriber number handy
when you call! Cindy Cheek , Admin

MODIFICATION WORK

Many of you have inquired about
COMMtronics Engineering and Bill
Cheek performing modification work to
your scanner. At the time we were
overwhelmed with repairs, mods, and a
host of other work and could not take on
any more. However, we are happy to
report that we can now perform some
technical services again. We have
discontinued repair work. but can
modify clean, neat and basically
unaltered radios. Estimated costs for
most commonly requested mods include:

♦Restore Cellular to base and handheld scanners,

(restorable models only) ea: $ 50.00
♦MOD 16a: 6,400, 12,800 or 25,600 memory

channels w/6 switches, ea: $250.00
♦MOD 16: 1,600, 3,200 or 6,400 memory channels
w/4 switches, ea: $ 175.00
♦Install CE-232 internal to your radio, ea: $100.00
♦Install CE-232 in external metal box

(you wire scanner), ea: $ 100.00
♦2 nd & additional scanners wired/tested at same time
for CE-232, ea: $ 85.00
Return UPS-ground Shipping & Handling

for base scanners, ea: $ 15.00
Return UPS-ground Shipping & Handling

for handheld scanners, ea: $ 10.00

* Exact specs depends on your scanner.

If you arc interested in other
modifications not listed above, please
inquire. In any case, if you would like us
to perform 44 magic” on your radio, you
can contact us by any of the several ways
shown at the top of Page l.

FROM THE READERS

WEATHER FAX ON A FAX MACHINE?
From: Bob Senkmaier, Algonac, MI
Dear Bill: Would there be any simple
way to print shortwave FAX weather
images on my Samsung FAX machine?
I have a Yaesu 8800 radio with line level
audio output. Could it feed tones into
one of the 4-color phone wires in my
house? Is my subscription run out yet for
the WSR - renew immediately if so.

ED RE PL Y : Cindy sez your sub is good
through V5NJ0 (next issue). Good
question on the use of the fax machine
with radio fax signals. I doubt that it
would be easy or intuitive, but the way I
would approach it would be to prepare a
phone-line pair with an RJ-11 plug on
one end to connect to the fax. The other
end should be fed with the secondary of
an audio isolation transformer, (RS 273-
1374). Take a sample of the receiver's
audio output and feed it into the primary
of the transformer. (1 think you will need
amplified audio , not line level.)

Residential phone lines are 2-wire, so if
you think you ha\>e 4-
wires, one pair is Line 1
(usually red & green)
and the other pair is
Line 2 (yellow & black).

Traditional 4-wire flat
phone cable for two
lines uses the middle
two wires for Line 1 and
the outer two wires for
line 2. This applies to
the RJ-11 modular jacks
and plugs, too. The above diagram
shows the pinout of a female jack:

Then make sure a fax signal is on the
radio and mess around with starting the
fax machine. That's where you're on
your own, because 1 don't use that kind
of a fax and don't have the foggiest idea
of what it takes to manual start and stop
receive fax sessions.

If you are going to mess around with fax
and phone lines much, I'd recommend
Radio Shack's Phone Line Tester, 43-
104 that takes the guesswork out of line
polarity, showing: correct, reverse, or
not operational. The Radio Shack book,
INSTALLING TELEPHONES, 62-1060 is
full of good information, too, and is
highly suggested for wannabee
phreakers, line specialists, and radioists
who need to tap phone stuff..

Black

FEMALE RJ-11
FRONT VIEW

1/16/96 ~ 2:01 PM ~ The “WorldScanner Report” © 1991-96; Volume 5, No 9; Page 6

1.

SURGE

&

SPIKE

PROTECTION

From: Brian O*Brian, Sterling Heights, MI
Bill, I’ve called your BBS a couple of
times and per your request for
suggestions for articles, I have a strong
desire to understand voltage protection
or surge protection. What device is it
and how does it work? Thanks

ED RE PL Y : ‘Nuther good question.
You 're really asking about protection
against voltage surges, transients or
spikes, and EMI/RFI, and it would take a
book to do these subjects real justice. In
fact, there are entire books! I may do a
future article, but let the basics suffice
for now. Surge, transient, and EMI
protection for computer and radio
equipment is an important issue!

A surge is a “slow” but “lengthy”
increase or rise in line voltage. Note
how the lights momentarily dim when
you turn on a powerful motor in your
house? That's a dip, but a surge is much
the same thing, except opposite. Surges
last anywhere from a few milliseconds to
a second or more, and can be 10%-100%
of the normal line voltage. Surges are
dangerous to all electronic equipment
and difficult to prevent or protect.
Surges are usually caused by accidents
or heavy industrial machinery in the
neighborhood, but solar and
geomagnetic disturbances can also
cause them..

Transients or spikes are extremely short,
picoseconds to microseconds in
duration, and very high in strength,
sometimes several thousand volts or

more! You cannot perceive transients
like sometimes with surges. They come
and go without your ever knowing it.
Transients are caused by distant and
nearby lightning strokes: certain kinds of
heavy machinery; arc welders; and there
are unknown causes. Transients are not
especially dangerous because almost all
electronic equipment has some
protection, enough to minimize the
effects, but transients can rip through
solid state equipment and wreak havoc.

Radio Frequency Interference and
Electromagnetic Interference is more or
less continuous; rarely dangerous;
usually manmade; and typically causes
annoying performance in radio
receivers. Special techniques are
required to eliminate it, both at the
source as well as at the receiving end.

Most variety and hardware stores sell 6-
outlet “surge and spike protectors” and
I suppose these work, especially for
spikes. Unless you 're willing to go to
great expense and trouble, surge
protection is elusive and uncertain.
Read all the fine print on any such
protectors you buy.

Transient and spike protection is cheaply
and readily available in the above
mentioned 6-outlet strips and in a
variety of other forms. Just a coiled line
cord will knock a transient from
dangerous to tolerable levels.
Capacitors across the lines can shut
spikes to safe levels. A special kind of
zener diode called a metal oxide varistor
(MOV) is a very effective guard against

spikes. MO Vs are being replaced by
apparently even more effective devices
called TransSorbs or transient voltage
suppressors. (TVS). There are several
ways to install TVS, one shown as MOD-
11 in Vol-1 of my Scanner Mod Handbk.
Since TVS's come designed for a specific
operating voltage , you have to be sure to
order the right kind for the desired
circuit. Protection for a secondary
circuit of a 117-vac power transformer
that steps the voltage down to 12-vac
before converting it to DC, would look
something like this, using a single 775/

Transient

Voltage

PRO-2004/5/6 and PRO-2035/2042

The above TVS, for most base scanners
should be rated at about 20-volts
breakdown. The DigiKey part number
would be P6KE20CAGICT-ND and costs
under a buck in low quantities.

Filters to prevent RFI/EM1 emissions are
available from DigiKey, but most
electronic equipment is fairly well
filtered already. The 6-outlet protector
strips mentioned above pretty well stop
ENII/RFI from entering or leaving
through the power lines.

Surge protection is tough and we 'll save
that for another time, but again, the 6-
outlet strips may help a lot.

1/16/96-2.01 pm~ The “WorldScanner Report” ©

1991-96; Volume 5, No 9; Page 7

Subscriber No.

iiiyfri’F'lB'

NAME:

|USA RATES shown: Canada add 25%; Olher Foreign +50%-Air

SB OH

1991-94: any one year set-10 ea $30.00

STREET

1991-92: first two years, set--20 ea $40.00

1993-94: second two years, set-20 ea $40.00

CITY:

STATE:

ZIP:

1991-94: all four years, set-40 ea $75.00

EMMi

Work Ph: (

) - Career or

World Scanner Report CURRENT SUBSCRIPTIONS

*

) - Profession

First or second Half Year — 5 ea $20.00

ITYPE OF SCANNERS »

One Year — 10 ea $35.00

*_!

& Other Radios »

Two Years — 20 ea $65.00

METHOD OF Check

PAYMENT » □

Cash M.O. Visa MstCard COD (+ $8.50)

□ □ □ □

Amount tncioseo

$

BOOKS & OTHER PRODUCTS

Scanner Mod Hndbk, Vol-1: $17.95 + $4.00 S&H *

1

Credit Card

Amount Charged

Scanner Mod Hndbk, Vol-2: $17.95 + $4.00 S&H *

$

Acc*t No: »

-

$

Ultimate Scanner ( Cheek3 ): $29.95 + $4.00 S&H *

$

Name of

Expiration

/

Scanners & Secret Frequencies/ $19.95 + $4.00 S&H *

$

Issuing Bank

Date:

/

* Canada US$9 S&H; Other Foreign US$11 S&H; all add extra tor Air

$

Signature Required (for credit card purchases)

■m

CE-232 Interface Kit: $194 95 + $5 S&H; All Foreign add $10-surf

$ SALEI

VISA |

Hertzian Intercept BBS Subs: $8/mo $15/3-mo $25/6-mo $40/yr $75/2-yr

$

X

HOBBY RADIO BUYER'S DIRECTORY $14 95 ppd. surf

$

What else to tell us?

Calif addresses: add 7 25% sales tax to all orders except subenptions

$

U $ FUNDS PAYABLE TO: COMMtronhs Engineering

TQTALTHtS ORDER:

$

ROLL YOUR OWN COMPUTERS?

From: Anthony Hcncghan, Marion, IL

Dear Bill: I am very interested in the roll
your own computer. A detailed article would
he best for those who want to get on with it.
A detailed article is my first choice, and a
series of articles would be my second choice.

From: George Kunraszcwicz, Detroit, MI

Dear Mr. Cheek, In response to your article
on “speaking of computers: Roll your own?”
in V5N7 in the WSR, I would like to see and
read several articles written on the subject.
This includes on where to get the computer
together other than from Radio Slick and
Computer Town. The articles should include
where to get service manuals and other
computer information. Thank you.

ED REPLY : To Anthony & George: Tunis
out, this IS a popular topic! I have some
other material to chum out first. But if you
want a head start, I wrote a 4-part series on
building and upgrading computers for
“Monitoring Times ”, Nov, Dec, Jan, & Feb
issues. After I get the fallout from that series,
I'll spnice it up for the ffSR here.

WHINES-GRIPES-ACCUSATIQNS
From: David Corwin, Greenport NY Bill.
'Blanks for the return of the balance of my
subscription to the WSR. You asked why I
was not satisfied. Well! I am trying to figure
out whether you are all hype or there is some
substance to any of your claims. I have not
read any of your books so I will reserve
judgment. I must again say I am disappointed
in the World Scanner Report. I have seen
one other rather long message on the Internet
that pretty much articulated my complaints.

The two issues I received had virtually
nothing of value except schematics of a
listening device that was cloaked in secrecy.
'Ilie promise was that the microphone and
amplifier circuit was going to be tied in to a

scanner at some point in a later issue.
Similar circuits have been published in
Popular Electronics. Nothing new here. The
story reputed to have been written by a
woman about here husband's devotion to RF
monitoring-so what. There just wasn't
anything there. The schematics of the circuits
could not be followed because of the poor
quality of the reproduction. You have got to
be kidding about the World Scanner Report
and its value. The latest issue of Monitoring
Times had modifications to restore two
scanners. This is supposed to be your forte. I
will look forward to die issue you are sending
at no cost maybe it will change my mind.

ED REPLY : I doubt this issue Mill change
your mind and I am not inclined to try,
because I am from a very unique school of
two-way people. One-way people “diodes’’
turn me off. I don’t want their patronage. I
can’t afford it! Accusations, attitudes, and
sniping can go somewhere else, where
proprietors build the cost of fiddles and
shrinks into their prices to cover the “cost”.

I will address some of your potshots for the
benefit of our loyal 2-way readers who are
supportive of what we do and why we do it.
First, value.... it’s in the eye of the beholder.
The IVSR has value for many people, but if
you see none, keep your money. I don't want
it. I can 7 please all the people all the time;
just some people some of the time.

The articles by Janet Cravens were of
general interest, perhaps none to some, but
clearly appealing to the wives of many of our
subscribers. I never guarantee each article
to please everyone. Some people liked Mrs.
Craven ’s articles, but those who didn 7,
certainly understood that not everything in
e\>erv issue is supposed be of special interest.

The reproduction of our schematics is always
of readable quality. It’s possible the post

office destroys some copies, and perhaps out:
quality control drops off once in a while and
escapes attention. We are always happy to
replace inferior or postal-damaged issues.
Notable that you didn 7 ask....

IVhat you saw on the Internet was from a
rabble-rousing trouble-maker, green with
envy of my accomplishments and position in
the community. He shoots in the blind with
no concern for truth or for what is fair and
right. He is a 32 nd Degree Snotball who
would welcome you for an ally. The poor
fellow’s demeanor is utterly without merit.

My “listening device ” has never appeared in
print anywhere, and there is nothing close to
it in terms of quality that has ever been
published, as far as I am aware.

Thanks to the LAW, “restoring” scanners is
a thing of the past. There is only a handful,
anyway, that ever had cellular possibilities,
and they have ALL been covered in the press,
most here. Cellular hacking is gone and this
is NOT a cellular-hack newsletter, anyway.

Whether I am hype or substance is something
to which I never make claim or allusion.
Others decide that for themselves. You are
welcome to make your own judgment.

WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD?

Professor Peabody returns next issue with a series of
interesting hacks and improvements. A couple of
mods for the PRO-26 are in the offing. Maybe the
PRO-62. We will continue with the series of
Technical Descriptions of the PRO-2004/5/6 and
PRO-2035/2042 series. But folks, I gotta tell ya,
scanners mods and hacks are becoming fewer and
farther between. We’ve pushed Uie envelope about as
far as it can go.

I don't mean for that to sound sinister; it’s not. But it
does mean that the focus and the slant of the WSR has
to take a little change of course. Scanning and all of
radio, for that matter, are on the brink of change.
Hobby Radio is changing. But there is excitement in
the wind. More on that soon. TIME TO RENEW?

I960106V5N09P08

SOME RENEWALS COMING DUE SOON - CHECK YOUR LABEL

»■ Super Snoop Surveillancer Unit- The Exciting Conclusion!

+ MOD-30 Radio Shack Event Counter back in stock! ~ RS Toolkit on sale
+ RS 20 MIIz Oscilloscope Coming Soon!

+ PR0-2006 & PRO-43 still available! (Yes!)

*- Resource into on Durham Radio, Inc.

+ PRO-2035 Cellular Modification (Yes!) ~ Resource into on Javiation, Inc.
*- Upgrade LINKALL Project - Numeric Block Display!

+ CE-232 Sale Extended for WSR Subscribers
f WeatherFax on a fax machine? ~ Surge & Spike Protection
• Whines-Gripes-Accusations ~ What does the future hold in store?